Experience Superior North 2018
“Experience Superior North” is a week-long face-to-face leadership experience for students from Toronto Catholic District School Board, Crescent Private School-Toronto, Ottawa CDSB, Simcoe-Muskoka CDSB, and Wellington CDSB and is hosted by Superior North Catholic District School Board.
Held during the month of May, for the last three consecutive years, students from Southern Ontario had an opportunity to meet and experience what life is like for students from Northern Ontario.
The May 14 – 18, 2018 event was hosted in the communities of Geraldton, Longlac, Nipigon and Thunder Bay along with many of our northern community partners – Ginoogaming First Nation, Red Rock Indian Band, Métis Nation of Ontario, Ministry of Natural Resources – Fire & Forestry and other local businesses.
Students experienced a warm welcome and a wonderful feast, prayer, smudge, drumming, and bonfire on Monday evening at Lake Kenogamisis Resort, where they stayed most of the week.
The visiting crew from the five School Boards traveled to St. Joseph Catholic School Tuesday morning in Geraldton where another warm welcome awaited them. They then took part in a variety of leadership activities based on the 7 Grandfather Teachings and spent the afternoon at MacLeod Provincial Park participating in Survivor Indigenous Outdoor Games.
One of the most sacred events held throughout the week was the mass, celebrated by Father Hugo Tremblay at St Theresa Parish, Geraldton.
On Wednesday morning, students had the opportunity to see northern forests at work, thanks to the Northern Ontario Forestry Industry where students tried tree planting and participating in activities at the Garfinkle Block Tour Angus McPherson Seed Orchard.
Ginoogaming First Nation provided a warm welcome for students to their powwow grounds in Ginoogaming with food, stories, and singing. Students heard from Elders, drummers and from Chief and Council. They also had the opportunity to taste moose, beaver, fish, and bannock!
On Thursday a full day of learning was celebrated at St. Edward School in Nipigon with assistance from Red Rock Indian Band. Students had the opportunity to make bannock, cedar tea, dream catchers and learn about Indigenous medicines.
Throughout the week student relationships and bonds formed as students began to get to know one another from 5 northern schools in Superior North Catholic to many schools from the South and they shared experiences and created lasting memories.
The six participating school boards had two online student collaboration sessions to begin building relationships and exploring who they are and the importance of being balanced.
Throughout the week-long face-to-face event, participating students took on the role of leader, gaining confidence in their abilities to share their skills with their peers. The goal of the educators is to support students in their quest of developing their best self. Experience Superior North is a unique learning opportunity engaging students in goal setting, leadership, authentic deep learning through collaboration and exploration that empowered students throughout Experience Superior North.
“Together We Educate Heart, Mind and Soul.” SNCSDSB
